Phyrexian Tower is a rare Legendary Land from the Mirrodin Pure collection. It provides two primary uses: adding one mana of any color, and sacrificing a creature to add two black mana.

• Power level: 3/5 ( moderate impact)
• Main use cases:
  • Adding single-color mana for spells or creatures.
  • Sacrificing a creature in a combo or value engine to generate additional black mana.
• Popular formats: Commander (as Phyrexian Tower can be used to fuel artifact and zombie decks).

Phyrexian Tower

This rare legendary land is a powerful addition to any deck, offering two distinct ways to generate mana. Understanding how it interacts with the game state and other cards is crucial for optimal play.

Mana Generation

The first ability reads: "{T}: Add {C}." This means that Phyrexian Tower generates one colorless (C) mana when its tapped (T). This can be used to fuel spells, abilities, or other lands. It's essential to note that this ability is not a triggered ability; it's an activated ability that requires tapping the land to generate mana.

Sacrifice Ability

The second ability states: "{T}, Sacrifice a creature: Add {B}{B}." This is another activated ability, but with a crucial twist. When Phyrexian Tower is tapped and a creature is sacrificed, it generates two black (B) mana. The sacrifice of the creature is what triggers this ability, not tapping the land itself.

Some key considerations when using this ability:

• You can only use one of these abilities per turn, as they both require tapping the land.
• Sacrificing a creature will likely give you more value than generating one colorless mana, but it depends on your specific deck's needs.
• Be cautious not to sacrifice too many creatures in a single turn, as this can lead to losing valuable life or card advantage.

Stack Interactions

When Phyrexian Tower is tapped and a creature is sacrificed simultaneously, the order of operations comes into play. According to the Magic: The Gathering rules, abilities that require tapping a land are resolved before any triggered abilities. This means that if you tap Phyrexian Tower and sacrifice a creature in the same turn, the colorless mana from the first ability will be generated before the black mana from the second ability.

Commander-Specific Quirks

In Commander (EDH), Phyrexian Tower can be a valuable addition to any deck. Its mana generation and sacrifice abilities make it an excellent choice for decks that rely on creature sacrifice or want to generate extra mana in the early game. Be mindful of your deck's overall curve and mana efficiency when using this card.

Edge Cases

While tapping Phyrexian Tower and sacrificing a creature at the same time is generally beneficial, there are scenarios where this might not be optimal:

• If you have a spell or ability that requires two black mana and you can generate it more efficiently through other means (e.g., with a Liliana of the Veil), sacrificing a creature might not be the best choice.
• If you're in a situation where losing life is detrimental to your strategy, sacrificing creatures might not be ideal.

Unusual Rules Interactions

Keep in mind that Phyrexian Tower's abilities are activated and do not have any inherent triggers. This means that you can use Sanguine Bond or other cards that modify tapped land effects without issue.

Phyrexian Tower is a highly sought-after legendary land that can greatly enhance the mana development and black-based strategies in various Commander decks. Its unique abilities allow it to tap for colorless mana, as well as sacrifice a creature to add two black mana.

Black-Heavy Decks Decks running high amounts of black creatures and spells will significantly benefit from Phyrexian Tower's ability to sacrifice a creature to add {B}{B}. Cards like Golgari Findbroker, Death Baron, or Sylvan Caryatid can be used as sacrificial fodder, allowing for the rapid development of black mana and enabling plays such as Rakdos, Lord of Riots.

Colorless Lands Matter Phyrexian Tower's ability to tap for {C} makes it an excellent addition to decks featuring colorless lands like Watery Grave, Plains, or Badlands. This allows players to maintain a consistent mana base and access more powerful spells without being limited by the availability of specific colors.

Infinite Combos Phyrexian Tower can be used in infinite combo decks that rely on sacrificing creatures for value. Cards like Vraska's Contempt or Golgari Findbroker can be sacrificed to Phyrexian Tower, generating an endless supply of {B}{B} while also fueling the combo.

Some notable Commander strategies and archetypes that benefit from Phyrexian Tower include:

• Rakdos, Lord of Riots (a popular red-black Commander)
• Gix, Warden of Bones (an undead-themed Commander)
• Estryil, Murderer of Ores (a black-green Commander)

Players looking to incorporate Phyrexian Tower into their deck should focus on building a strong black-based strategy with an abundance of creatures and spells that can be sacrificed for value.

Phyrexian Tower is a versatile legendary land that offers a unique combination of mana acceleration and sacrifice synergy. Its ability to add two black mana for a single creature sacrifice can be particularly effective in combo-heavy decks.

One potential application of Phyrexian Tower is in conjunction with Liliana, Last Hope, which allows players to easily reanimate sacrificed creatures using the land's second ability. This can create a powerful loop where Liliana's ability triggers multiple times in succession, generating an exponential increase in card advantage.

Another possible interaction involves pairing Phyrexian Tower with Tomb of Negation, a card that enables the exiling and returning of cards from the graveyard to the hand. By sacrificing creatures on top of Phyrexian Tower to generate black mana, players can then use Tomb of Negation to exile their opponent's removal spells or other problematic threats.

Additionally, Phyrexian Tower can be used in more aggressive decks that rely on sacrificing creatures quickly to generate life gain or card advantage. For example, a deck featuring Griselbrand and Liliana of the Veil could utilize Phyrexian Tower to sacrifice creatures rapidly, generating an abundance of life gain and card draw.

In general, Phyrexian Tower's abilities make it particularly well-suited for decks that value sacrificing creatures as a means of generating mana or advantage.

Timing Issues with Phyrexian Tower

One common mistake players make when playing Phyrexian Tower is misjudging the timing of its abilities. The first ability, "{T}: Add {C}." can be played at instant speed, but the second ability, "{T}, Sacrifice a creature: Add {B}{B}." requires sacrificing a creature and then resolving on a player's turn. This can lead to players trying to sacrifice their creatures in response to Phyrexian Tower's abilities being triggered.

Misunderstood Rules

Another mistake is misunderstanding how Phyrexian Tower interacts with other cards. For example, some players may think that the {T} cost of Phyrexian Tower's second ability can be paid with a land already tapped for mana, but this is not the case. The creature must still be sacrificed to trigger the ability.

Poor Synergies

Players often underestimate the potential synergy between Phyrexian Tower and cards like Chandra, Torch of Defiance or Karn, Liberated of Bomberman, which can generate additional mana when creatures are sacrificed. This synergy is particularly potent in Commander decks that rely on sacrificing creatures to generate value.

Ignoring Colorless Mana

Phyrexian Tower's ability to generate colorless mana can be overlooked by players who focus too much on its black mana generation. However, this colorless mana can be used to accelerate other cards in the deck, such as Eldrazi Conscription or Trostani's Summoning.

Overlooking Lifegain

Phyrexian Tower's second ability generates two life gain when a creature is sacrificed, which can be an underappreciated benefit in Commander. Players often overlook this effect and miss out on the opportunity to use it as part of their life-gain strategy.

Phyrexian Tower is a rare legendary land that adds one mana of any color when tapped and two black mana when sacrificed alongside a creature. Its price has fluctuated over the years, but it's currently priced at $17.10 USD.

This card has been reprinted in several sets, including Masters Edition III, which can be a more budget-friendly option for players looking to acquire Phyrexian Tower.

When considering alternatives, players may want to look into cards like Sakura-Tribe Elder or Razortip Orchard, which can provide similar effects at a lower price point. Basic lands are also always available and can help save money in the long run.

Phyrexian Tower is particularly useful in combo-heavy decks that rely on sacrificing creatures to generate value. It's an excellent addition to any deck focused on black mana acceleration, making it a popular choice among players.

In terms of gameplay, Phyrexian Tower represents the twisted fusion of organic and metallic lifeforms that defines the Phyrexian plane. Its presence on the battlefield echoes the catastrophic influence of Urza's Saga on Dominaria.

When used in conjunction with other cards like Carrion Feeder or Graveborn Muse, Phyrexian Tower can create a complex web of life and death that rewards aggressive play while punishing more cautious opponents.

Overall, Phyrexian Tower is a versatile card that offers a range of benefits for players looking to accelerate their black mana development. Its ability to add two black mana when sacrificed alongside a creature makes it an attractive option for those seeking to cast powerful black creatures like Liliana of the Veil or Doom Blade.

In multiplayer games, Phyrexian Tower can be a liability if not properly protected. A single well-timed removal spell or counterspell can dismantle the entire strategy.

Against combo decks that rely on sacrificing creatures for value, Phyrexian Tower can create a toxic environment for opponents to navigate. Its ability to add two black mana when sacrificed alongside a creature makes it an excellent addition to any deck focused on black mana acceleration.

In terms of flavor and lore, Phyrexian Tower represents the twisted relationship between life and death that defines the Phyrexian plane. It's a grim reminder of the catastrophic influence of Urza's Saga on Dominaria, where creatures are mere resources to be exploited for power.

Phyrexian Tower has been featured in several iconic decks, including the popular "Dimir" and "Golgari" EDH decks that rely heavily on black mana acceleration. Its impact can be seen in its EDHREC stats, where it ranks 235th among all legendary lands.

Overall, Phyrexian Tower is a versatile card that offers a range of benefits for players looking to accelerate their black mana development.

Phyrexian Tower is a versatile and powerful legendary land that offers a unique combination of color fixing and sacrifice synergy. Its ability to add two black mana for one creature sacrifice makes it an attractive addition to decks focused on Phyrexian or sacrifice-based strategies.

Commanders and Color Identities:

Phyrexian Tower complements the following commanders:

• Kosk Guildpact (Golgari): This commander's theme of sacrificing creatures to gain advantage pairs perfectly with Phyrexian Tower's ability.
• Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer (Azorius): The deck's focus on artifact and creature synergy aligns well with the tower's potential for adding black mana.

In terms of color identities, Phyrexian Tower is most suited for:

• Black-Green (BG) decks: This combination allows for the full potential of the tower to be realized, as both colors are essential for its ability.
• Black-White (BW) decks: While not as optimal as a BG deck, a BW deck can still utilize the tower's abilities with some adjustments.

Engines and Synergies:

Phyrexian Tower works well with:

• Liliana of the Veil (black): Her ability to exile creatures and add black mana makes her an excellent partner for the tower.
• Sylvan Caryatid (green): This creature's ability to untap lands allows for more frequent use of the tower's sacrifice trigger.

The following cards create additional synergy with Phyrexian Tower:

• Sacrifice Engines:
  • Golgari Findbroker
  • Wrenn and Six
• Black Mana Fixing:
  • Mistbind Clique
  • Golgari Signet

Combo Notes:

Phyrexian Tower can be used to accelerate the combo of:

• Liliana of the Veil with Liliana's Cauldron (a card that allows for infinite black mana by sacrificing creatures)
• Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer with various artifact and creature synergies

Keep in mind that these combinations require careful deckbuilding and tuning to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Phyrexian Tower is a rare, legendary land from the Jumpstart set. Its impact in Commander and other formats can be broken down as follows:

Commander: In Commander, Phyrexian Tower provides a unique mana generation mechanism. By sacrificing creatures to add two black mana, it creates opportunities for color-hungry strategies that rely on multiple black sources. This is particularly relevant in decks featuring cards like Bolas's Citadel or Simic Signet, which benefit from additional mana production.

Phyrexian Tower can be competitive in Commander when paired with aggressive strategies that require efficient mana generation, such as those centered around Liliana of the Veil. In this context, sacrificing creatures to add black mana becomes a crucial aspect of gameplay. However, its impact may be mitigated by the presence of more efficient lands like City of Traitors or Mana Confluence.

Other Formats: In casual play, Phyrexian Tower's ability to generate two black mana at once can create interesting interactions with creature sacrifice effects found in cards like Rack and Ruin. This format is less competitive than Commander, but the tower's abilities can still add a unique layer of depth to games.

Phyrexian Tower is not banned in any current format. However, its impact may be limited by the availability of more efficient mana sources and better creature sacrifice effects.

Price and Rarity: As a rare card from Jumpstart, Phyrexian Tower's price can fluctuate depending on demand and availability. At the time of writing, its USD value is approximately $17.10, with an EU price of around €16.30.

Key Scenarios & Matchups

Phyrexian Tower excels in combo-heavy decks that rely on sacrificing creatures to generate value. When paired with a creature like Sanguine Bond or Vampire's Sense, it can provide an additional two black mana to fuel more complex combos.

In multiplayer, the tower's ability to sacrifice creatures makes it vulnerable to removal spells and board control effects. Decks featuring cards like Path to Exile or Maelstrom Pulse can disrupt the tower's operation by repeatedly targeting Phyrexian Tower itself or its sacrificed creatures.

Against combo decks that rely on sacrificing creatures for value, Phyrexian Tower can be a liability if not properly protected. A single well-timed removal spell or counterspell can dismantle the entire strategy.

In a more defensive role, Phyrexian Tower can serve as a land that generates black mana, making it easier to play cards like Dark Ritual or Simian Spirit Guide. However, its value diminishes in a mono-color deck without access to these types of spells.

Phyrexian Tower's ability to sacrifice creatures also makes it a target for creatures with deathtouch or trample, such as Golgari Findbroker or Elesh Norn, Grand Healer. These cards can deal significant damage to the tower while providing a benefit to their controller.

In a game where both players have access to similar combo pieces and creature sacrifice engines, Phyrexian Tower's impact may be diminished. Both sides will likely try to protect their own towers or remove each other's creatures, resulting in an intense but balanced gamestate.

Phyrexian Tower is a rare legendary land from the Mirrodin set. It has a simple, yet versatile ability that allows players to add one mana of any color (C) when tapped, and add two black mana (B) by sacrificing a creature.

In terms of printings, Phyrexian Tower was only printed in the Mirrodin block. However, it has been reprinted in several sets over the years, including the Masters Edition III set, which is a good source for players looking to acquire this card at a lower price point.

Phyrexian Tower's popularity can be seen in its EDHREC stats, where it ranks 235th among all legendary lands. It has been featured in several iconic decks, including the popular "Dimir" and "Golgari" EDH decks that rely heavily on black mana acceleration.

In tournament play, Phyrexian Tower is often used as a way to accelerate black mana development and enable more aggressive plays. Its ability to add two black mana at once makes it an attractive option for players looking to cast powerful black creatures like Liliana of the Veil or Doom Blade.

Phyrexian Tower, a rare Legendary Land from the Judgment set, is a testament to the corrupted magic that permeates the Phyrexian plane. This card is a grim reminder of the twisted fusion of organic and metallic lifeforms that have come to define the Phyrexians' existence.

In many ways, the tower's presence on the battlefield echoes the catastrophic influence of Urza's Saga on the world of Dominaria. Urza's Tower and its attendant horrors served as a catalyst for the downfall of many civilizations, much like how the Phyrexian invasion has reshaped the very fabric of reality.

Phyrexian Tower itself is an affront to the natural order, standing as a monolith of twisted, mechanical life. Its power, however unspectacular in and of itself, lies in its ability to augment the already-ominous presence of black mana on the battlefield. When combined with other cards that synergize with Phyrexian Tower's effects, such as Sacrifice or Dark Ritual, it can create a toxic environment for opponents to navigate.

In terms of gameplay, Phyrexian Tower is an excellent addition to any deck focused on sacrificing creatures to generate value. Players using this card in conjunction with Carrion Feeder or Graveborn Muse can create a complex web of life and death that rewards aggressive play while punishing more cautious opponents.

Phyrexian Tower's influence extends beyond the battlefield, representing as it does the Phyrexians' own twisted relationship with life. In their world, creatures are mere resources to be exploited for power, and even the most seemingly innocuous beings can become deadly instruments of war. This is a grim reminder that, in the world of Magic: The Gathering, even the most mundane cards hold within them the seeds of devastation.